An average product by any name is still just an average product. So whether this is called a beauty balm, BB cream, or skin perfector, it ends up just being a tinted moisturizer with questionable sunscreen properties.

Dream Fresh B.B. has a fluid, lightweight texture that sets to a soft matte finish that's ideal for normal to oily skin. With only 1.15% titanium dioxide as the sole active ingredient, we’re surprised this earned its SPF 30 rating. That's a very low percentage to reach even an SPF 10, but we have to assume Maybelline did due diligence in terms of FDA-mandated sunscreen testing (which determines a product's SPF rating). Maybelline's claims of eight skin benefits (blurs imperfections, evens skin-tone, enhances, etc.) could be met by most standard foundations or tinted moisturizers, so don't get overly excited about that; this doesn't edge out dozens of other complexion enhancers.

The fragrance-free formula has some beneficial ingredients, but its downfall is that it also contains the preservative methylisothiazolinone, which is generally not recommended in leave-on products due to its sensitizing effect.

The shades range from Light to Deep (which is more medium tan than deep) and go on sheer, but really why bother when there are better BB creams and tinted moisturizers on our Best Tinted Moisturizers/BB Creams list.

Strengths: At least one excellent product (if not several) in almost every category; many excellent foundations; superior mascaras; inexpensive makeup brushes; some terrific concealers, powders, blush, and lip color options.

Weaknesses: Lips balms tend to be a letdown; a few of the Great Lash mascaras are surprisingly average compared to other Maybelline formulas.

Maybelline is one of the best-known and most recognized mass-market makeup lines in the world—it's available in 90 countries. Throughout its long history, which began in 1915 when T. L. Wilson founded the company and named it after his sister, Mabel, and Vaseline (which he combined with coal dust to concoct a mascara for her), the company has prided itself on bringing innovative products to the marketplace. L'Oreal purchased the company in early 1996, and that's when things really started coming together for the Maybelline brand.

Specializing in a large selection of lipsticks, nail polishes, and mascaras, there is a lot to love from this drugstore brand. Many of their foundations are exceptional, and their powders, several mascaras, pencils, matte-finish concealers, and Superstay Lipcolor collection impressed us by offering a high degree of quality for their inexpensive price point.

Maybelline's latest urban image is a positive step, as many of their latest launches have been innovative without resorting to "been-there, done-that" gimmicks. Smart shoppers will note the similarities of a few of Maybelline’s formulas to products from high-end brands that are also owned by parent company L’Oreal. That just goes to show conscientious shopping can really save you money—without sacrificing quality or performance.

For more information about Maybelline New York, call (800) 944-0730 or visit their interactive Web site at www.maybelline.com.

About the Experts

The new Beautypedia Team proudly and unequivocally maintains the commitment to help you find the best products possible for your skin. We do this by relentlessly pursuing and relying on published scientific research so you will have unbiased information on what works and what doesn't-and the sneaky ways you could be making your skin worse, not better!

The Beautypedia Team reviews all products using the same research, criteria, and objectivity, whether the product being reviewed is from Paula's Choice or another brand.

I used this BB cream for quite some time (almost a year) when it first came out. It spreads and blends wonderfully, but that's about it. Coverage is sheer to medium (buildable with some effort and waiting time between layers), but the undertone is more suited to those with yellow undertones.I'm neutral to pink and couldn't really make this work.
For those who have yellow undertones and normal (not dry nor oily) skin this is a good yet not great option.

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Reviewed by

Andy

05.19.2015

Love this BB cream for my dry combination skin

I love this BB cream! I've used several high end foundations such as Nars, tarte (love that for full coverage) etc but keep coming back to this. Simple, gives me a beautiful complexion and has a nice moisturizing feeling without any heaviness. It just feels like my skin, but better! I wear this with the tarte Maracuja concealer, and for days when I want a little more coverage, either Bare Minerals or CoverFX MatteFX powder. I am very lucky to have flawless skin thanks to a Paula's regimen.

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Bronwyn B.

03.03.2015

Love it

Personally, I love this bb cream. It looks super natural, covers redness and blemishes very well, and doesn't feel heavy or greasy. Plus, it pretty much lasts all day. I guess if the SPF isn't as effective as I thought, I'll just wear some underneath, or dust some transparent spf powder over the top.

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Reviewed by

Jackie Z.

06.01.2014

BB foundation

I use fair to medium and I think it is a great product. I do apply it liberally. After reading Paula's review, I do wish it had antioxidants.

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Reviewed by

Tamara M.

03.29.2013

works well

I've tried many tinted moisturizers. This is only one that doesn't highlight lines or patches of flaky skin on my face. It also has a shade that matches my skin tone perfectly. Most are too yellow for me. It does leave a bit of shine on my oily skin which is diminished by setting it with Maybelline's Shine Free pressed powder. I would not rely on it as a sunscreen but for those days when I'm inside all day it nicely evens out my skin tone.

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Anonymous

02.18.2013

Ok

I loved this more than the other store (not designer) BB creams. Unfortunately it doesn't have much SPF. The lightest color might not be light enough for those with fair skin making it a problem. It wore beautifully all day, but I noticed more breakouts. I haven't determined this to be the ultimate culprit, but I'm looking for a different brand now.

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